Liquid applicator device



Feb. 10, 1959 c. HOPKINS LIQUID APPLICATOR DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1955 w 4 N E m A E a e a c 5 w 5 w r0 7. 4 Z W m 3 6 W M 8 7 7. 7. 5 1 5 6 H l ,..isiisiiii5155-2 II. I 7 0 E 1 A? 47 11 731 1 1 ii! wv kkkla% Z i I 'll I MW [$1 V. mmmwv I I f nilnrllliilnm vi lllllalllvlilllnn 2,8?2fi94 F'atented Feb. is, 19-59 LIQUID APPLICATGR DEVIQE Cecil L. Hopkins, Galion, Ohio Application January 11, 1955, Serial No. 481,093

2 Claims. (Cl. --139) This invention relates to liquid applicator devices of the type having an applicator or brush which is re tracted into the interior of the container during periods of non-use, so that the opening into the container can be capped and sealed to prevent evaporation or drying of the liquid.

In applicators of the type mentioned the brush is carried wholly by the container and is supplied with appropriate amounts of liquid through manipulation by the operator. In retracting the brush and stem on which it is carried into the interior of the container, difiiculty has in the past been experienced because in retraction a quantity of the contents of the container must be displaced to accommodate the brush and stem. If the tip portion of the container adjacent to the brush opening is sufliciently empty so that in retraction of the brush, it

air alone is displaced and forced through the discharge opening, the operation is satisfactory. However, if the top portion of the container is full of paint or other liquid, brush retraction tends to pump some of the displaced liquid through the discharge opening. .This action results in a messy nozzle tip and, in some instances, objectionable bonding of the sealing cap to the nozzle. It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a retractable brush type applicator device in which brush retraction is facilitated and objectionable pumping of liquid contents through the discharge nozzle is avoided- The present device permits gravity or other retraction of the brush without losing or discharging the liquid contents through the nozzle outlet. In the preferred mode of practicing the invention, the applicator tip or nozzle is formed with an elongated chamber through which the brush and stem are shifted axially in projection and retraction. In the projected position of the brush stem means carried by the latter is arranged to close the inner end of the chamber, or substantially so, to prevent an excessive amount of the liquidcontents from flowing into the tip of the chamber while the device is in use.

As a further refinement of the chamber closing feature, the brush stem is arranged so that in the projected position a seal is also effected at the tip of the chamber to prevent the liquid from flowing onto the brush other than at desired times. As a still further refinement of the invention and an additional objective, the inner and outer seals are established and interrupted in unison so that each time the outer seal is opened to permit the outfiowing of a quantity of liquid onto the brush, the inner seal is also opened to permit a quantity of liquid to flow into the tip chamber. By this arrangement, the liquid can be admitted to the chamber in the nozzle at the will of the user and in varying amounts, so that the tip chamber contains at all times during the period of use a quantity of the liquid ready to flow out the nozzle dis charge onto the brush whenever the operator releases the tip seal by partial retraction of the stem, as by endwise pressure against the projecting bristles of the brush.

To retard or meter the flow of liquid contents into the forward portion of the tip chamber each time the inner seal is broken, the opening from the main-chamber of the container into the tip chamber is restricted in size. It is thus possible to permit only a minimum of liquid to enter the tip chamber at any time and thus to permit the brush and stem to be retracted at any time displacing only air from the tip chamber and avoiding the objectionable discharge of liquid contents through the tip opening.

Another object is the provision of a relatively large poppet type valve which comprises the supplemental or inner sealing means. The periphery of the circular poppet valve and the valve seat are thus adjacent the cylindrical Walls of the narrow type applicators, to facilitate the flow of sufiicient quantities of liquid into the tip chamber when the container is nearly empty. An additional feature of the large poppet type valve is its action in moving or clearing viscous liquid, such as lacquer and paint away from the metering base opening into the tip chamber each time the brush stem is retracted.

A further object of the invention is to stabilize the brush stern in the nozzle to facilitate the painting operation. This stabilization is achieved by mounting the poppet type valve on the brush stem in rigid relation and locating the stem in supportable contact-with a partition member in the nozzle. By engagement against the partition member the brush stem is held .in desired coaxial relation Within the tip chamber and objectionable lateral movement is substantially eliminated.

The weight ofthe column of liquid contents is carried by the poppet valve when the device is in use position, such weight serving not only to hold thevalve means in sealing relation to the nozzle member seat and thereby r resist inadvertent displacement of the valve with attendant discharge of unwanted liquid from the nozzle, but also to stabilize and hold the stem against axial movement relative to the nozzle and the main container so that painting is facilitated, these being additional objects of the invention.

Another object achieved by means of the large poppet valve is the controlled'passage of an appropriate quantity of paint, or other liquid into a measuring portion of the tip chamber which is located between the metering partition and the circular valve seat for the poppet valve. Such measured quantity of the liquid is received'on the partition member to be allowed gradually and subsequently to pass through the metering orifices into the tip chamber while the poppet valve is in a closed position. It is thus possible further to control the quantity of liquid passed into the tip chamber.

Another object is to provide positive displacement of the liquid contents through the metering orifice or orifices which are located in the partition member by providing a close it between the periphery of the poppet body and the circular walls of the main container. The valve body thus acts as a forcing piston on liquid between the valve body and the partition member. Liquid is thus constrained to flow through the metering orifices in the partition member. In this manner, the orifices are kept clear of thick viscous portions of the liquid contents which otherwise tend to collect and obstruct the orifices. In reverse movement of the poppet valve body during retraction of the brush, liquid is drawn away from the metering orifices clearing them so that air displaced by q the continued inward movement of the brush has an unobstructed path to flow out of the container and into the tip chamber.

Through this construction it may be readily seen that it is possible to retract the brush without forcing any liquid through the nozzle tip.

Other objects and advantages relate to certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which are set forth in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment representing the best mode of practicing the invention made in connection with theaccompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sealed applicator, showing it inverted from the position in which normally kept;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional view of the applicator when the brush is extended for use as in a painting operation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental sectional view of the applicator showing the brush in a partially retracted position to permit feeding of the liquid by gravity into the nozzle chamber and from the latter onto the brush;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the applicator taken at line 44 in Fig. 1 disclosing the partition member, the metering orifices and the brush stem; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the applicator showing the brush retracted and stored, the applicator here being in the normal upright position in which it is left when not in use, and showing an alternate construction in which a shoulder is disposed about the internal surface of the circular sectioned passage.

The applicator device of the type with which the pres ent invention is concerned comprises a main container or housing 1 which may be of any suitable shape or configuration but which is conveniently formed of alumium as by drawing into a shape of a substantiallycylindrical tube having at one end an integral end closure 2 which constitutes a bottom for the device when it is in its upright, or storage position. The other end of the tubular casing is open and receives sealingly as by press fit the cylindrical end of a nozzle member 3 which is of molded plastic material such as a phenylformaldehyde or phenyl or urea resin. Through the nozzle member 3 is an internal chamber or axial through passage 4 which accommodates a brush assembly for axial movement. The brush assembly comprises a stem 5 which is constructed of smooth steel and which has an enlarged end portion '6 axially drilled to receive as by press fit plastic tubular base '7 in which are embedded a tuft of bristle 8 by means of which the liquid contents of the applicator device are applied as will appear.

The outer or tip end of the nozzle member 3 is tapered as indicated at 11 for the convenience of the operator in using the device to apply liquid to any chosen surface. An axial discharge opening 12 in end 13 of the nozzle member permits the brush to be projected or retracted at will as by gravity operation. To seal the discharge opening 12 when the applicator is not in use a thimble-like cap or cover 14 is received over the end of the nozzle member 3 and is suitably held in place. The cap may, for example, be formed with threads which are screwed onto the threaded portion of the nozzle member 3 in the provision of threaded joint 15 located adjacent the end of the container 1. In the bottom of j the closure cap 14 a deformable sealing disc 16 of polyethylene or the like engages end 13 of the nozzle to seal discharge opening 12. This plastic disc is press fitted into a recess so that the disc is retained in the cap when the latter is removed from the applicator nozzle.

When the cap 14 is removed and the applicator device inverted bodily, the weight of the brush and stem assembly causes the brush to move downwardly through the discharge opening 12 substantially to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the bristles 8 are exposed for use. In this projected position of the bristles the circular edge corner of the stem enlargement 6 engages internal tapered surface 17 of the nozzle passage 4 adjacent the discharge opening 12 to effect a circle-line contact seal which prevents liquid contained in the applicator from flowing out onto the brush. The circular edge corner of the stem may be beveled as indicated at 18 providing a chamfered sealing surface. At the inner end of the nozzle body 3 the circular sectioned passage 4 is enlarged as indicated at 21 to provide a circular radial shoulder against which is received as by a press fit with the passage walls a combined guide and partition fiat washer 22 which is conveniently formed by stamping or die cutting resilient fiat sheet plastic material. This washer embraces the stem 5 in an easy sliding fit and keeps the stem centered'in the nozzle passage in coaxial relation to the nozzle.

When the brush-stem assembly is retracted into the interior of the applicator after a period'of use as by upending the applicator to the storage position, the washer 22 is engaged by a circular shoulder 23 defined by the end of the enlarged stem portion 6 limiting the retractive movement of the stem into the applicator as shown in Fig.5.

Since all of the liquid that is to be released through the discharge opening 12 in the tip of the nozzle must pass the partition washer 22, the latter conveniently serves as a control for regulating the fluid How. This flow regulation is achieved by the amount of clearance in the sliding fit between the washer and the stem or preferably and, as shown, by the formation in the washer of one or more slot-like orifices or passages 24 which are continuous with the center opening that accommodates the valve stem. By increasing or decreasing the size or number of the notches 24 the rate of flow of liquid past the partition 22 can be regulated to suit particular requirements or to accommodate liquids of different viscosity. In using the device for the purpose of applying lacquer or other liquid contents by means of the brush 8 the applicator is inverted to the use position of Fig. 2, the cap 14 having been first removed, and the gravity projected brush is manipulated as desired. When an additional quantity of liquid is to be supplied to the bristles 8, the operator presses the bristles against the surface being painted so as to shift the brush-stem assembly into a slightly retracted position such as shown in Fig. 3, which shift removes the stem edge corner 18 from sealing engagement with the tapered internal surface 17 of the nozzle body thereby allowing liquid con- 3 tained in the annular chamber which surrounds the stem in the nozzle to fiow out the discharge opening 12 and onto the bristles 8 for use. The fiow of the liquid onto the bristles is arrested by elevating the applicator which allows the brush-stem assembly to drop by gravity to the passage sealing position of Fig. 2.

In the alternate construction disclosed in Fig. 5, a shoulder 29 is disposed about the surface of the liquid passage 4 at a point near the discharge opening 12. The shoulder 29 has an inside diameter which is less than the outside diameter of the enlarged cylindrical end 6 on the stem 5 and an outside diameter which is greater than the diameter of such large end 6 on the stem 5. The shoulder, which is annular and normal to the nozzle axis constitutes a valve seat for a shoulder 30 at the end of the stem 5 and thereby effects a passage seal comparable tothe circular line contact seal which is effected between the chamfered surface 18 and the internal tapered surface 17 of the nozzle passage 4 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

After the painting job has been completed with the brush in projected position, the applicator is up-ended, which results in gravity retraction of the brush into the interior of the tip to the storage position of Fig. 5. The cap 14 is then screwed over the tip to hold the sealing disc 16 strongly and sealingly against the nozzle tip end 13.

In retraction of the brush after a period of use, it is apparent that there must be displaced from the interior of the applicator a volume of either liquid or air equivalent to the volume of the brush. In the case of devices heretofore known, a portion of the liquid is often forced out of the nozzle opening with attendant loss and mess. To overcome this objectionable characteristic of earlier devices, the present invention provides a liquid flow regulating and metering means which takes the form of a secondary valve element or head 25 carried on the stem 5 at its inner end. This valve head is of circular disc shape preferably being tapered toward its edges and resembling a mushroom in appearance and, like the valve stem, is constructed of smooth steel. The diameter of the valve head is greater than the nozzle passage 4, preferably being larger in area than the passage enlargement 21 which contains the partition washer 22. The size or diameter of the valve head 25 and its axial position on the stem 5 in relation to the sealing end 18 of the stem are such that the valve head is disposed to cooperate with the inner end 27 of the nozzle body in the provision of a seal for the inner end of the passage through the nozzle. Desirably the inner end of the nozzle body may be formed with a depressed circular valve seat 26 that cooperates with the periphery of the valve head 25 although, of course, it is apparent that a similar result is achieved by allowing the periphery of the valve head to seat against the circular end face 27 of the nozzle body. In operation, the operator, desiring to provide the brush 8 with liquid for application, presses on the tip of the brush to partially retract it into the tip chamber as shown in Fig. 3. As the brush is thus retracted, the valve stem 5 to which it is attached is moved inwardly, thus removing the sealing edge corner 18 from contact with the tapered internal surface 17 of the nozzle and, simultaneously and in unison, removing the valve head 25 from engagement with the inner end 27 of the nozzle body. With the sealing and closing engagements thus broken, the liquid contained in the lower end of the tip chamber 4 will flow onto the brush 8 while at the same time liquid in controlled amount will be permitted to pass the valve 25 in the partition member 22, and to pass the metering orifices 24 into the annular tip chamber 4. When the liquid which has been trapped in the lower end of the tip chamber has flowed onto the brush in the desired amount, the operator releases the pressure and the brush and its co-related valve parts are permitted as through gravitational force, to return to their operating position shown at Fig. 2. The liquid which passes through the metering orifices 24 passes downwardly through the tip chamber 4 until stopped by the seal accomplished at the tapered internal surface 17. This metered liquid remains in the lower end of the tip chamber until such time as the operator again causes the brush and its co-related parts to partially retract as de- 7 scribed above.

When the operator has completed the applicating operation, the applicator is inverted as in Fig. 5 and the cover 14 is threadedly engaged with the tip 3 to seal the applicator as has previously been described. The invention thus provides an efficient means to permit only desired minimum quantities of liquid to enter and pass through the nozzle chamber to provide a liquid applicator in which the brush may be readily retracted into the nozzle chamber without excessive spillage.

In accordance with the patent statutes the principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the apparatus shown in the drawing and described above is given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration Without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

' What I claim and desire to secure by Leters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a liquid applicator device having a tubular nozzle formed with a through passage and having inlet and discharge opeuings at opposite ends, a stem extending through the passage, a brush tuft on one end and ahead on the other end of the stem, cooperatingseat and valve elements respectively on the inside of the: nozzle surrounding the passage-inwardly of the discharge opening and on andmovable with the stem; saidstem, tuft and head beingan assembly shiftable axially relative to the nozzle between an advanced use position in which the tuft projects from the discharge opening, the valve and seat elements are engaged to seal the passage and the head closes the inlet opening, and a displaced position in which the valve and seat elements are disengaged to open the passage and the head is spaced from the nozzle to open the inlet opening; partition means fixed in the passage between and spaced from the ends of the nozzle dividing the passage into an entry chamber between the inlet opening and the partition means and a supply chamber between the partition means and the seat element, the partition means closely surrounding the stern in guiding relation and for easy sliding of the stem and being formed with orifice means regulating and constituting the sole communicating means for the flow of liquid between the chambers, said stem being shiftable from said use position toward the displaced position by the application of endwise pressure to the tuft when the device in use is held with the discharge opening of the nozzle directed downwardly simultaneously to open the inlet opening for flow of liquid into theentry chamber and to open the passage at the seat element for the How of liquid from the supply chamber out the discharge opening and onto the tuft, the effective area of the discharge opening and of the opening in the passage between the displaced valve and the seat element each being greater than that of the orifice means to provide continuous flow of liquid from the inlet opening through the nozzle passage and onto the tuft at a predetermined rate governed by the orifice means while the device is maintained in said nozzle down position and the stem is kept in retracted position in use, a predetermined quantity of liquid being measured in the entry chamber between the head and the partition means by said head closing the entry upon release of endwise stem displacing pressure from the tuft for return of the assembly to use position while maintaining the device in said nozzle down position, such measured liquid then flowing by gravity at a predetermined rate through the orifice means and into the supply chamber during continued use of the device in said nozzle down position in readiness for release onto the tuft upon subsequent displacement of the stem in use, and, upon such subsequent displacement, the liquid in readiness running out the discharge opening at a faster rate than liquid runs into the supply chamber through the orifice means.

2. A liquid applicator device comprising a housing having a reservoir; a nozzle having base and tip ends, the nozzle being attached at its base end to the housing and having an axial through passage terminating in a discharge opening at the tip end, the base end of the nozzle having an inlet continuous with the passage and communicating with the reservoir; a combined liquid flow controlling and liquid applying assembly extending longitudinally in the passage and reciprocable therein between projected use and retracted storage positions; said assembly comprising an elongated stem, a deformable shape retaining liquid carrying element fast on the stem as an axial extension of the latter, and a relatively large head on the stem and spaced from the liquid carrying element; the nozzle being formed with an internal seat element l'ocated'between the inlet and the discharge opening, the stem including a valve element engageable with the seat element in the projected position of the assembly to close the passage, the seat and valve elements constituting primary sealing means controlling liquid flow to the discharge opening when the device is held with the nozzle directed down for use, the head and the base end of the nozzle cooperating to substantially close the inlet into the passage in the projected position "7 ofthe assembly and constituting secondary sealing means controlling liquid flow into the passage from the reservoir in said nozzle down position, the valve element and the head being adapted simultaneously to establish and concurrently maintain both the primary and secondary seals in the projected use position of the assembly to prevent gravity flow of liquid out the discharge opening from the passage and into the passage from the reservoir in said nozzle down position, partition means carried by the nozzle and disposed within the passage intermediate the inlet and the seat element, said partition dividing the passage into an entry chamber at the base end of the nozzle and a supply chamber located between the partition means and the seat element, the partition means being formed to receive the stem in sliding relation and with orifice means to regulate the flow of liquid from one chamber to the other, axial displacement of the assembly from passage sealing use position with the device held in said nozzle down position simultaneously releasing fluid in the supply chamber to flow continuously by gravity through the discharge opening and onto the liquid carrying element and opening the inlet for the continuous flow of liquid from the reservoir into the entry chamber; said orifice means being of less effective area than the passage, the discharge opening, and the opening between the seat element and the valve element when the assembly is retracted, and while the device is in continuous usein said nozzle down position and the assembly is retracted, the orifice means being adapted to 'trestrict to a predetermined rate, less than the flow rate capacity of the discharge opening, the continuous flow of liquid through the passage and onto the liquid carrying element and, upon return of the assembly to said passage sealing position while retaining the device in the nozzle down position the orifice means being adapted to References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,115,370 Allen et al. Oct. 27, 1914 1,937,660 Luker Dec. 5, 1933 2,119,687 Rexroad June 7, 1938 2,309,286 Wentworth Jan. 26, 1943 2,630,593 lockers Mar. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 170,721 Germany 'May 12, 1906 1,039,827 France May 20, 1953 1,087,410 France Aug. 25, 1954 

